COWAN: Hunters to get get rare opportunity through drawing

California hunters will have a chance to hunt deer, elk,
pronghorn antelope and desert bighorn sheep through a special tag
program being offered by the California Department of Fish and
Game.

The DFG will conduce four random drawings for 2012 tags and
funds raised will be used for wildlife conservation programs. A
similar program last year generated more than $130,000 when an open
deer tag and Owens Valley elk tag were offered.

According to a DFG press release, the tags being offered this
year will include the open deer and Owens Valley elk tags along
with a northeastern California pronghorn tag and a Kelso Peak/Old
Dad Mountains bighorn sheep tag. The special drawing is open to all
interested hunters and the random tag drawing chances can now be
purchased at DFG license sales offices and online.

Each chance will cost $5.66 and there is no purchase limit.
Purchase of random drawing chances does not require a valid
license, but the successful applicants must show proof of a valid
2012-2013 California hunting license to obtain the tag. The
application deadline for all tags is June 2, 2012 with the drawings
taking place within 10 business days of the deadline.

"I am particularly excited that this year we will include a
once-in-a-lifetime desert bighorn sheep tag as well as a coveted
northeastern California pronghorn antelope tag," said DFG director
Charlton H. Bonham in the release.

As an added bonus, San Gorgonio Wilderness Outfitters has
offered to provide free guide services to the hunter who wins the
Kelso Peak/Old Dad Mountains desert bighorn sheep tag.

"This is a wonderful offer and commitment by the San Gorgonio
folks and demonstrates the great support of one another within the
hunting community," Bonham said.

Hunters who are not selected as winners of one of the four
random tag draws are still eligible to bid on any of 13
fund-raising tags available through auction by DFG's conservation
partners. Questions about the program are answered on the DFG
website at www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/hunting/huntingfaqs.html .

Save wildlife

Taxpayers can help California plants and wildlife by making
voluntary contributions to the California Department of Fish and
Game on their income tax returns.

Contributions can be made on line 403 or 410 on the state income
tax form 540. By contributing any amount over $1 you can support
the Department of DFG Rare and Endangered Species Preservation Fund
or the California Sea Otter Fund. What you donate this year is tax
deductible on next year's return.

Money raised through the tax check-off program helps pay for
essential DFG research and recovery efforts. Such work allowed the
California brown pelican and American peregrine falcon to be
removed from the endangered species list in 2009.

California is one of 41 states that allow taxpayers to make a
voluntary, tax-deductible contribution to one or more worthwhile
causes on their state returns. Since 1983, the tax check-off fund
for Rare and Endangered Species has raised more than $18
million.

Surf fishing

Anglers continue to report good halibut catches from North
County shore locations and from small boats close to shore.